St Kilda has resisted the urge to react to a recent form slump by officially inking senior coach Brett Ratten to a contract extension.
Ratten was handed a two-year extension by the Saints, with the club believing he has achieved “significant buy-in” from both the players and the rest of his coaching staff.
The confirmation of the deal comes after a period of intense pressure for the 50-year-old after his side had suffered three straight losses and slid out of the eight.
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However, the Saints arrested their slide with a crucial 15-point win against Carlton last weekend to restore its finals hopes.
Prior to the win against the Blues, speculation surrounding Ratten’s future was rife, with questions being asked as to why Ratten had not officially been signed up.
With the club’s bosses understood to have verbally assured Ratten he’d be given an extension, The Age’s Caroline Wilson told Footy Classified last month that it would’ve been an act of “football bastardry” not to go through with the deal on the back of a slight form slump.
All those fears have now been allayed, with the Saints adamant he is the right man to lead them forward towards their second premiership.
“This balance, and the ability to unite his coaches, players and staff in a relentless quest for excellence makes Brett the best person to lead us towards our much longed-for second premiership,” Saints president Andrew Bassat said in a statement.
“We must be unrelenting and embrace each day as a chance to improve. Brett exemplifies this urgency daily, not only through his coaching, but through the transparent and authentic way he draws the best out of those around him.
“His genuine belief and deep understanding of where we all want this club to go is clear in each decision he makes, and even more so by the way he brings others along with him.
“Brett and his family embody the spirit of the Saints, and I am proud to have him leading us forward.”
The Saints will hope to celebrate their coach’s extension with a win when they host Fremantle in a clash with huge finals implications on Saturday night.